Mikel Arteta is confident that Bukayo Saka and Arsenal are on the same page with his contract situation, but it will take time to finalise.
Earlier this month, David Ornstein confirmed once again that a new contract for Bukayo Saka is one of Arsenal’s priorities for the remainder of the summer transfer window.
Other journalists such as Charles Watts had previously reported that talks over a new deal for the winger were ongoing, with Arsenal hopeful of a positive conclusion.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth this weekend, Mikel Arteta claimed the club believe they’re on the same page as their star youngster.
“I’m very confident that we as a club, Bukayo and his family and his agent are very much aligned on what we want to achieve,” Arteta said.
“I would like that to get done because I don’t want the player or anybody distracted in the middle of the season, but those things take time and have to go through the right process.”
Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar told the media in July that things are going well with Saka.
“Good, very good. Everybody is happy,” Edu said, before responding to questions about the delay in an extension.
“It’s normal. We’re going to sit and put all the expectations in the right place. Our expectations and his, his family, and his agent’s expectations, and put everything together.
“The main thing is how he feels, how he feels comfortable with us. He’s happy, we’re happy, so it’s just: sit down and find a solution.”
The Daily Mail wrote that Arsenal submitted a formal offer to extend Saka’s contract, worth at least double his current wages of £70,000 per week.
After 43 appearances, 12 goals, and seven assists for Arsenal last season, Saka picked up the Premier League’s Academy Graduate award for 2021/22, and Arsenal’s Player of the Season award, and he was recently nominated for the Kopa Trophy again.